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A. Tree Protection, In General.

1. In all developments, a minimum of 35 percent of all significant trees shall be retained. Trees that are located within Native Growth Protection Areas, critical areas, and their associated buffers as provided in RZC 21.64, Critical Areas, or that have otherwise been designated for protection shall not be removed. Exceptions to this standard shall be requested and reviewed in accordance with RZC 21.72.090, Exceptions.

2. Landmark Trees. Landmark trees shall not be removed unless an exception has been applied for and granted.

3. Hazardous Trees. Hazardous trees or dead trees posing a hazard, outside of NGPAs, critical areas and buffers, should be removed and are not considered significant trees.

B. Site Design Standards. Site improvements shall be designed and constructed to meet the following standards:

1. Site improvements shall be designed to protect trees with the following characteristics, functions, or location, with priority given to protection according to the following items, arranged from most important to least important:

a. Existing stands of healthy trees;

b. Trees providing habitat value, such as riparian habitat;

c. Trees having a significant land stability function;

d. Trees adjacent to public parks and open space;

e. Trees within the required yard setbacks or around the site perimeter; and

f. Trees that have a screening function or provide relief from glare, blight, or commercial or industrial harshness.

2. In considering trees for protection, applicants and the City shall avoid, to the extent known, the selection of trees that may become hazardous because of wind gusts, including trees adjacent to utility corridors where falling trees may cause power outages or other damage. Remaining trees may be susceptible to blowdowns because of loss of a buffer from other trees, grade changes affecting the tree health and stability, and/or the presence of buildings in close proximity.

C. Grading and Proximity to Structures, Utilities, and Roadways.

Tree Protection Barriers User Guide

1. To ensure that structures, utilities, and roadways are located an adequate distance from the drip line of a protected tree to allow adequate room for construction activities, the construction limit line for a structure, utility, or roadway shall be located no closer than five feet outside of the drip line of a protected tree.

2. No proposed structure, utility, or roadway shall be located within five feet of the drip line of a protected tree, except where such structure is a raised deck, bay window, or cantilevered or otherwise raised above the ground’s surface so as not to disrupt the tree’s roots.

3. Sidewalks and utilities may be located within the drip line of a protected tree, provided that construction methods and materials used will result in minimal disruption of the tree’s roots, and that additional measures for tree protection are proposed and approved which will ensure the long-term viability of the tree.

4. The Administrator may allow construction limits or an alteration of grades within five feet of the drip line of a protected tree, provided that the applicant submits an evaluation by a certified arborist which demonstrates that the proposed construction will not reduce the long-term viability of the tree.

5. The Administrator may require an evaluation by a certified arborist to determine if protective measures should be required beyond five feet of the drip line of a protected tree.

D. Designation of Protected Trees.

1. The tree protection and replacement plan and any application and permit plans that cover such areas shall show all trees designated for protection. These areas may be shown by labeling them as “protected trees,” “Native Growth Protection Areas,” “critical areas,” “critical area buffers,” or such other designation as may be approved by the Administrator. Protected vegetation, including protected trees, shall not be modified, harmed, or removed except as provided in this section.

2. The Administrator may require that protected trees be permanently preserved within a tract, easement, or other permanent protective mechanism. When required, the location, purpose, and limitation of these protected areas shall be shown on the face of the deed, plat, binding site plan, or similar document, and shall be recorded with the King County Department of Records and Elections or its successor. The recorded document shall include the requirement that the protected areas shall not be removed, amended, or modified without the written approval of the City of Redmond.

E. Incentives for Higher Levels of Tree Protection.

1. The Administrator may grant adjustments to site development standards for developments on which ten or more healthy significant trees per exist acre, as follows:

a. Developments that preserve 40 percent or more of the healthy significant trees shall be entitled to the Administrative Design Flexibility provisions for residential or commercial properties as outlined in RZC 21.76.070.C, Administrative Design Flexibility. (Ord. 2958)

Effective on: 4/27/2019